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major reference

Libel and slander are the legal subcategories of defamation. Generally
libel is defamation in print, pictures, or any other visual symbols. Slander is spoken defamation. The advent of electronic communications has complicated the classification somewhat. Some countries treat radio defamation as
libel, others as slander. Television presents similar problems.

common law

In the field of
libel, U.S. practice is less strict than the English. In the United States a public figure cannot sue for honest but unfair and untrue criticisms of his activities, whereas in England published facts must be true and comments fair. In some Australian states truth is not necessarily a defense to an action.

constitutional law

...even considering the element of actual “danger.” On the same basis it has upheld laws excluding from public employment persons holding subversive beliefs. In the United States the law of
libel concerning public figures actively protects free speech inasmuch as, under the doctrine of
New York Times v.
Sullivan (1964),...

English tort law

...though numerous complicated defenses also make sure that free speech is not totally throttled. But in the main the English law of defamation is complex and archaic. The old distinction between
libel and slander (defamatory matter in permanent and in transient form, respectively) is preserved; the plaintiff is not entitled to legal aid (with the practical consequence that only wealthy...

literature

In some countries, particularly Great Britain, the law of
libel presents insuperable problems to novelists who, innocent of
libellous intent, are nevertheless sometimes charged with defamation by persons who claim to be the models for characters in works of fiction. Disclaimers to the effect that “resemblances to real-life people are wholly coincidental” have no validity in law,...

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

legal case in which, on March 9, 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9–0) that, for a
libel suit to be successful, the complainant must prove that the offending statement was made with “ ‘actual malice’—that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.” Specifically, the case involved an advertisement...

publishing

...speak, write and print freely.” In the United States, no formal censorship has ever been established; control over printed matter has always been exercised through the courts under the law of
libel. This was also the case in Britain after the lapsing of the Licensing Act in 1694; but two important steps had yet to be taken: in 1766, Parliament put an end to general warrants (
i.e.,...